Cumberland Hospital sees over a dozen patient escapes despite security overhaul

Cumberland Hospital has experienced more than a dozen patient abscondings since February, when two escapes were linked to three fatalities. A budget estimates hearing revealed 14 further incidents, broken down as four in March, three in April, two in May, two in June and three in July, classified as type-1 escapes. NSW Health’s Brendan Flynn reported the overall rate of 0.5 cases per 1,000 bed days, noting it is below rates in other facilities, though a separate health branch cited slightly lower figures.

Shadow mental-health minister Sarah Mitchell called the continued escapes alarming and said the reviews have not produced a marked decline. The government responded with physical changes—removing loose furniture, pruning tree branches, and removing downpipes—and increased security staffing to six day-shift and five night-shift officers. Mental Health Minister Rose Jackson said a report on the February incidents cannot be released due to ongoing criminal proceedings.